This scat is one of ten that were found in a small grotto
underneath a cliff overhang along the south fork Eel River, Humboldt County,
California. The local otters frequently use this location to deposit scat.
Among mustelids, the family of animals otters belong to, this is a form of
communication. Otters passing by will stop at the scent post and deposit
scat, or roll on the bank. There are also several slides that allow the
otters to slip into the river. This and the following 11 photos were all
taken in this location on the same day.

Otter scat up close. You can see the small bones from prey
in this one. Also visible are some fish scales.

Another scat, showing prey contents.

This close-up shows an otter scat with the exoskeleton of
an aquatic insect nymph on it. Along the river's edge, these insects leave
their underwater home and emerge from their old exoskeletons to take on
their land forms. Often, these are flying insects, such as dragonflies,
stoneflies, and mayflies. This one is likely a stonefly. It was not eaten by
the otter in this case. The nymph crawled out of the water and rested on the otter scat
to complete its metamorphosis. However, that does not mean that otters
cannot eat these aquatic insects. Have a look at some of the scats below and
you will see the remains of dragonfly nymphs in them.

Another otter scat in close-up.

A different scat. These scats were all in the same scent
post area, likely from different animals.

The red arrows point to the locations of six of the scats
found in this scent post. The cliff overhang is visible in the reflection on
the water. This is a lush area, with ferns growing from the cliff wall and
water dripping from springs. Redwoods and other trees grow from a flat area
against the cliff. There was even one tiger lily in this location, its
beautiful orange flower providing a splash of color. It is the perfect otter
haven, with water full of fish and a sunny spot on the bank, protected from
the wind and predators. It's a great place for otters to come out of the
river and sleep. I once watched a young otter do just that. The river was
higher and there was no way I could get across and the otter felt safe, so
he curled up and went to sleep! The blue object in the photo is my swimming
mask. There were a total of ten scats the day I took this photo. At times in
the past, I have counted more than a dozen scats here. This location is used
year after year.

A scat with ruler for scale.

A small scat resting on a knob of soil that juts over the
river. Prominent locations like this are ideal places for otters to deposit
their scats.

An older scat that is breaking apart.

Several scats of varying ages deposited next to each
other.

A view from the otter's perspective. The fish were abundant
and easily visible in the clear water. There are several slides visible
here. The otters easily slide right into the river from this bank. It's a
nice place to spend a sunny afternoon. I can see why the otters like it. I
didn't want to leave!

Two weeks after I took the above photos of otter scat, I
revisited the same location again. This regularly used otter "post office"
or scent marking station, was again filled with new scats. I counted over
half a dozen new scats that had been deposited since my first visit. When
tracking otters, or any other animal, it is good to be aware of their
behaviors and where that might indicate that you should look for tracks and
signs. Members of the family Mustelidae tend to use their ability to produce
strong scent to mark in their habitat. It's a way for the members of the
species to communicate with each other. Below are some of the scats I found
when I returned to the otter scent post.

River otter scat, or fecal droppings. These were in the
grotto area described above.

Two different scats deposited next to each other.

A close-up of another river otter scat. Various prey
species are contained inside.

Another river otter scat from the same location.

Three separate scat deposits next to each other. Various
ages. Possibly from several animals. Ruler is six inches long.

These large scats were deposited right above the slide that the otters use
to get back into the river. These scats were larger than any of the others I
found in this location. Because there had been two weeks in between my
visits, I am not sure if these were all deposited at the same time by a
group of otters, or at different times by the same animal. However, on the
day I took these photos, the scats all appeared very fresh and smelled very
pungent. In fact, they could be smelled from almost halfway across the
river. By the next day, the smell was not as noticeable. At least to a human
nose! I would bet that the otters are fully capable to smelling these from
much further than humans can. It is, after all, one of their methods of
communication.

A large otter scat containing what appears to be remains
of the exoskeletons of dragonfly nymphs. It was not easy to get photos of
the larger scats that were on the slope above the otter slide. I was
clinging to an exposed root and trying to take the photos with one hand,
while trying not to fall into the river myself! At least the camera didn't
get wet!

River otter scat found on the bank of Leggett Creek, in
Humboldt County, California. This scat, and the one below, were next to each
other.

River otter scat found on the bank of Leggett Creek, in
Humboldt County, California. This scat, and the one above, were next to each
other.

Location of two river otter scats on the creek banks. Red
arrows indicate scats. This creek supports frogs, salamanders, and many
fish. All are potential food for otters.

River otter habitat in Leggett Creek, a tributary of the
south fork Eel River, in Humboldt County, California. The otters have plenty
of prey and many places to establish their homes here. Very few people ever
venture into this creek drainage as it is blocked by many log jams and the
canyon is very narrow.

Close up showing the contents of the scat
below. You can see parts of dragonfly nymphs on the right. There are bones
and some crayfish parts also visible in this view.

This otter scat was one of more than a
dozen found at this location.

This river otter scat is
less than a day old. It was found on the bank of the Eel River
after a rainstorm had almost obliterated the otter's tracks. It
is composed of fish scales and bones. There were also parts of
insects in it. The otter had left several scratch marks in the
sand next to it. Otters will deposit their scat on prominent
objects, such as rocks and logs, as a territorial marking. Otter
scats are also frequently found on lakeside docks in otter
country. Photo taken at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California.

River otter scat found on top of a rock at
the water's edge.

River otter scats sometimes have a
jelly-like substance in them. Sometimes, it appears yellowish.

Fresh river otter scat in wet sand near the
water.

Another fresh scat deposited near the one
above. The group included several otters.

What else can you find in the nature store? Beartracker's
animal tracks coloring book, T-shirts,
sweatshirts, journals, book bags, toddler and infant apparel, mouse pads,
posters, postcards, coffee mugs, travel mugs, clocks, Frisbees, bumper
stickers, hats, stickers, and many more items. All with tracks or paw
prints, or nature scenes. Custom products are available. If you don't see
the track you want on the product you want,
email me and I can probably
create it. Proceeds from all sales go to pay the monthly fees for this web
site. You can help support this site as well as get great tracking products!
Thank you!